Fresh setback for ‘Jana Nayagan’: SC rejects producers’ plea, asks them to return to Madras HC

The legal troubles surrounding actor Vijay’s much-awaited film Jana Nayagan continue, with the Supreme Court refusing to hear the producers’ petition and directing them back to the Madras High Court for urgent relief.

The uncertainty surrounding actor Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan shows no signs of ending, as the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the petition filed by the film’s producers, dealing a significant setback to the project.

The apex court declined to entertain the plea and asked the producers to return to the Madras High Court, stating that the matter is already listed before a division bench. The Supreme Court also directed the High Court to decide the appeal related to the film by January 21.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court made it clear that it was not inclined to hear the matter at this stage. Questioning the urgency shown by the producers in approaching the apex court, the bench observed that the correct legal course was to pursue remedies before the High Court first.

Jana Nayagan, directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, was originally scheduled for release on January 9. However, the film is yet to receive clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), leading to multiple rounds of litigation.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the producers, informed the court that the issue concerned the certification of a feature film. He stated that the release date had already been fixed and that the film was set to be screened in nearly 5,000 theatres across India. He also submitted that the producers were earlier told the film would receive certification after 10 cuts.

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Responding to this, the Supreme Court pointed out that an order which had already been stayed could not be challenged directly. The bench described the move to approach the apex court as an attempt at fast-tracking the case.

Justice Dipankar Datta also criticised the petition, remarking that while speedy disposal of cases is welcome, such urgency cannot be selectively demanded. He observed that if cases were resolved within a day or two, it should apply uniformly and not only in specific matters.

The producers had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court division bench order, which had stayed an earlier direction issued by a single judge. The single bench had asked the CBFC to grant a U/A certificate to Jana Nayagan after carrying out necessary modifications.

Meanwhile, the CBFC has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting that no orders be passed without hearing its side. Earlier, the CBFC had sought an urgent hearing before the Madras High Court to challenge the single judge’s order. Acting on this, the division bench stayed the directive and postponed the hearing to January 21, after the Pongal holidays.

On January 9, the Madras High Court had initially pulled up the censor board for entertaining complaints against the film, warning that such actions could set a “dangerous trend.” However, that order was swiftly stayed following the CBFC’s appeal.

With the matter now back before the Madras High Court, the fate of Jana Nayagan, widely seen as Vijay’s final film before his full-time political entry with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, remains uncertain.